Police arrest final suspect in Windsor bowling alley shooting

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The final suspect sought by Windsor police in relation to the multi-person shooting at a bowling alley last month is now in custody.

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Fernando Anthony Ratcliffe, 22, was arrested outside the Windsor area, police announced on Wednesday.

Acting Supt. Karel Degraaf of Windsor police said investigators learned on Tuesday that Ratcliffe was in the Greater Toronto Area, and arrangements were made to meet and apprehend him at a location in London.

“We were able to negotiate an amicable and reasonable location for our officers to meet and arrest Mr. Ratcliffe,” Degraaf said.

Degraaf said Windsor police are not seeking any other suspects at this time.

Ratcliffe faces five counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of discharging a firearm recklessly and occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm.

Degraaf said on Wednesday that Ratcliffe is not, in actuality, a resident of Windsor — he comes from Merlin, Ontario.

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Ratcliffe is the last of a group of individuals facing charges in relation to the shooting that occurred outside Super Bowl Lanes at 10000 Tecumseh Rd. East during the early morning hours of April 9.

Five adult males suffered gunshot wounds in the incident. Degraaf said they are all recovering, but he would not elaborate on the severity of their injuries. “We are in constant contact with them,” Degraaf said.

Degraaf would also not go into the specifics of what happened in the shooting, or the relationships between the individuals involved.

“It’s difficult for us to really speak to the motive,” Degraaf said.

Windsor police have previously stated that investigators believe the shooting potentially stemmed from a fight that took place inside the bowling alley.

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Degraaf said charges will stand against those arrested earlier in the investigation: Joshua Fryer, 19, of Windsor; Andrew Meloche, 21, of LaSalle; and an unnamed youth, who each face charges identical to Ratcliffe.

Two 21-year-old males whose names have not been disclosed are also still charged with accessory after the fact.

Degraaf said police have yet to recover the weapon used in the shooting.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” he said. “We continue to ask for the public’s assistance in any aspect of this investigation.”

The Major Crime Unit can be reached at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830.

Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or catchcrooks.com.

Degraaf thanked the community for their help in the case thus far, and said the job of police is “next to impossible” without cooperation and information from the public.

“You can’t sugarcoat the fact that gun violence continues to be prevalent in our society,” Degraaf said, adding that Windsor police remain committed to the provincial strategy to combat firearm incidents and gang activity.

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